A tattoo may not be enough.
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{ 4 comments }
You’re right, it’s not enough. And the typical “DNR” form is not enough.
That’s why Oregon started a program called POLST “Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment”, which is in a few states now, and being developed in a number of other states.
“DNR” does not cover the subtleties of palliative care, whether oxygen or antibiotics count as “resuscitation”. It also did not adequately cover the different personnel involved, with people being treated in nursing homes, EMT crew coming to private residences, etc.
POLST is meant to cover all those possibilities. Iowa does not have a POLST program in place. I do not know the doctor from Iowa Methodist quoted, but I wonder if that may be part of an effort to get the program started in Iowa.
For information, try POLST.org, which takes you to some OHSU bioethics site.
One problem with the tatoo is its relative permanance. How do we know that the individual did not happen to change their mind some days, weeks, even years ago, but is stuck with the tatoo?. Further, it is somewhat terse and does not specify many goal oriented details the person might wish
If some frail old lady getting her ribs cracked from CPR came into my ER and had that tattoo on her chest I would stop. She is a sensible woman.
It’s not enough. For my mother it wasn’t enough. There should be some legal repricussions when the DNR isn’t followed. I would love to see things changed. I have a blog about this subject at http://yourrighttosayno.blogspot.com I don’t believe a tatoo would be enough either. If Medical personell can’t read a patient file why would they be able to decipher a tatoo. Honestly how sad that a person has to go to those lenghts to see their rights enforced anyway. It is enough to have to deal with the fear of the unknown in dying…but to have it added to by dealing with the fears of your wishes not being respected and dying painfully…it should be punishable in a court of law…
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